Roane County, West Virginia

Founding: 1856
Parent counties: Gilmer, Jackson, and Kanawha

Namesake: Spencer Roane, Virginia politician
Seat: Spencer (1856–)

Land area: 484 square miles

Population (2020): 14,028

Population (historic): 5,381 (1860); 12,184 (1880); 19,852 (1900); 19,478 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1860–1910; 1930s; 1970s; 1990s

Subdivisions: One city; one town

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 1,473 (19.8%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 34.8%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 3.2%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 21.9%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 17.7%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $969
Average outbuilding value (1930): $438
Average farmhouse size (1940): 5.5 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,448
Average farm size (1920): 78.4 acres
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Spencer

Namesake: Spencer Roane, Virginia politician

Founding: 1856 (founding as New California); 1858 (post office); 1858 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 2,062

Population (historic): 196 (1860); 226 (1880); 737 (1900); 2,493 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1860; 1870–1960; 1970s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 391 (32.3%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. House (c. 1890). 2842 Hollywood Road. Italianate/Eastlake.
2. Albert Heck House (1925). 54 Hospital Drive. Classical Revival.
3. House (c. 1885). 4322 Tariff Road.
4. Farm (c. 1890). 694 Maple Run Road.
5. House (c. 1890). 1069 Reedyville Road. Italianate.
6. Billings House (c. 1900). 2222 Reedyville Road. Queen Anne.
7. Farm (c. 1925). 48 Stringtown Road. Spanish Revival.

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